Description: January 24 marked the birth anniversary of Mahmoud Farshchian, a master of Persian painting and miniature.

His paintings have become symbols of Iranian contemporary arts in the world.

He was born in Isfahan in 1929. His surname is taken from his father’s profession who was a rug merchant. His father was an art aficionado who instilled a love for the arts in his son.

Young Mahmoud showed an interest in arts quite early in life and studied under the tutelage of Haji Mirza-Aqa Emami and Issa Bahadori for several years.

Growing up, he was surrounded by many architectural masterpieces that gradually and subliminally sharpened his awareness of proportion, color, and form. At the age of five, it became evident that his life would be devoted to art and painting.

While still in school, Farshchian was invited to learn painting from the famous masters of the time. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Isfahan, he traveled to Europe to study the works of Western artists.

Upon his return to Isfahan, Mahmoud began working in the General Office of Fine Arts (later the Ministry of Culture and Art).

He was later appointed to the position of administrator of National Arts. It was then that he joined the Faculty of Fine Arts of Tehran University as an art professor. It was there that he created many of his unique masterpieces.

Farshchian later moved to the United States and currently resides in the New York metropolitan area. When he came to the United States, Farshchian brought with himself many treasures which were welcomed by Bibliotheque Nationale, The British Library, Freer Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum, and Harvard University.

His works continue to be exhibited in galleries and museums throughout Asia, Europe and the United States, as well as in private collections. Master Farshchian has received many awards throughout his life, including a doctorate in fine arts. He has also received much praise from European academies and museums.

Farshchian's works are a pleasing composition of both nobility and innovation. His themes are cultivated from classic poetry, literature, the Koran, Christian and Jewish Holy books, as well as his own deep imagination.

His most outstanding works are based on human affections and moods, which appear most effectively in graceful faces and figures.

He developed an innovative artistic style with universal appeal.

His works are examples of Iranian painting blended with modern techniques. His works are inspired by literature and poetry. He has also used religious elements and concepts in paintings and pictured historical figures.

His works are full of creativity, dynamism, round spaces, flexible yet powerful lines and rippling colors.

Perhaps, his most famous painting is ‘Eve of Ashura’ (the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram).

This work is the most prominent painting picturing Ashura’s events. The painting depicts Imam Hussein’s (AS) horse which is moving toward his tent on the eve of Ashura.

Most art experts believe that the elements of this painting are very dexterously put together making it an unbelievably beautiful and impressive work of art.

Another famous work of Farshchian is ‘Shams and Rumi’ which was unveiled in 2007.

Commenting on his own work, he said, “I was inspired by one of Rumi’s (a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi) poems in creating this work.”

Farshchian has told many tales on canvas in his unique expression of what he calls ‘sur-naturalism’.

The design of the Zarih (the box-like latticed enclosure which is placed on top of the tomb), roof, door and cellar in the shrine of the 8th shiite Imam, Ali ibn Mus'ar-Reza in Mashhad and his membership in the committee supervising the construction of the shrine, is another artistic work of the master.

"Opening an art book of Mahmoud Farshchian is like leaping into the heart of a magical realm. A happy blend of the real and imaginary at once sets the tone for everything, thanks to an alchemy whose secret formula he seems to be one of the few to possess. People, nature, animals and objects are present; we recognize them for what they are, but at the same time we begin to see them differently. We do not see them in a dream, but touch them with a different way of looking. This is what makes Mahmoud Farshchian unique and exceptional. That is how it is. This is another stroke of the master's skill."

Mahmoud Farshchian Mahmoud Farshchian was born in 1929 in Esfahan in a family whose members were all fond of arts. For several years, Master Farshchian was the student of such prominent masters of the time as Haj Aqa Mirza Aqa Emami and Issa Bahadori. After graduating from the Isfahan vocational arts school, he traveled to Europe where he began studying about the works of world famous Western artists.

The first-degree medal of art and culture conferred on Mahmoud Farshchian by President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on July 3, 1995, was a mark of the respect given to the valuable and superb works of this master.

Mahmoud Farshchian, has won international fame for presenting exquisite works of art and also for representing genuine Iranian arts. So far, he has been awarded numerous prizes by various artistic circles throughout the world. His artworks are a part of many other collections throughout the world.

"Opening an art book of Mahmoud Farshchian is like leaping into the heart of a magical realm. A happy blend of the real and imaginary at once sets the tone for everything, thanks to an alchemy whose secret formula he seems to be one of the few to possess. People, nature, animals and objects are present; we recognize them for what they are, but at the same time we begin to see them differently. We do not see them in a dream, but touch them with a different way of looking. This is what makes Mahmoud Farshchian unique and exceptional. That is how it is. This is another stroke of the master's skill."